How to Train Your Cat Into a Well-Behaved Pet

 How to Train Your Cat Into a Well-Behaved Pet

Cats are independent, self-assured animals, who enjoy spending time with their human companions. But for most cats, being around people and other cats can be a challenge. This is because most cats are naturally a little reserved around new people and other species, and they may hiss, growl and even bite when they feel threatened. This is especially true of indoor-only cats who have never encountered other feline friends, or cats who have experienced rough treatment at the hands of humans.

Fortunately, most cats are easily trained, usually because they’re naturally curious and love to learn new tricks. But to get the best results, you’ll need to go the right way about it.

Make your cat feel as comfortable as possible

The best way to get your cat to enjoy being around people is to make him feel comfortable. This means making sure his environment is safe and comfortable, and that he has plenty of toys, scratching posts, and opportunities to explore.

If he feels safe, confident, and happy, he’ll start to enjoy being around people and other cats. This is especially important if you want to start training him.

To make your cat feel safe, you’ll need to reassure him whenever you’re around other cats. This includes when you’re carrying out daily tasks, like cleaning and feeding your cat.

Another way to reassure your cat is to make yourself seem larger than life. If you’re carrying out normal, everyday tasks, don’t take off your shoes, or put on a pair of rubber boots and a tool belt, to make yourself look bigger and more intimidating.

Show your cat what you want

If you’re training your cat using treats and toys, it’s important to make sure he knows what you want. This is why you should always show your cat what you want, rather than simply barking orders at him.

Start by teaching your cat the basics, like sitting, rolling over, and laying down. You can use treats, toys, or both to do this.

Once your cat understands these basics, you can start teaching him tricks, like how to use the litter box, and basic manners, like walking on a leash or staying.

Many cats enjoy tricks and games, and it can help them bond with their human companions, as it reinforces positive behaviors and helps them come to understand their owners.

Choose the correct training technique

When training your cat, it’s important to choose the correct training technique, as well as the right time to train him.

When it comes to training your cat, some techniques are better than others. Here are some of the most effective training methods.

Set routines - Using routines is a great way to get your cat to understand the rules of your house. Start small, with things like making your house a litter-free zone, or removing all obstacles from your cat’s favorite scratching post.

Once your cat has learned these rules, you can gradually introduce new rules, like where you eat and sleep. This can help you enforce household rules, as well as keep your cat from becoming bored and destructive.

Positive punishment - Positive punishment training is usually best for aggressive cats, as well as those who have a habit of scratching furniture or walls. In this method, you reward your cat for his good behavior and add a small treat or toy for his bad behavior.

Make your cat an offer he can’t refuse

The most effective way to train your cat is to make him want to do what you want. This means offering rewards, both positive and negative.

If your cat scratches the couch, you can cut him off with a loud “No!” and take away the couch. If he scratches the right spot, give him a treat and praise him for being good.

Train multiple cats at once

If you own multiple cats, it can often be beneficial to train them at the same time. You can use treats and toys to help each cat understand what you want, without confusing them.

You can also try using different training techniques, depending on which cat you’re training. For example, you can use positive punishment on one cat, while rewarding another with treats.

Don’t be too pushy

Training your cat shouldn’t feel like a chore or a battle. You should relax, and enjoy the process as much as your cat does.

This means that you shouldn’t be making it into a competition, or trying to get your cat to obey you by force. Instead, you should focus on teaching him what you want, while rewarding him whenever he follows the rules.

This doesn’t mean that you should ignore your cat when he’s misbehaving, or make excuses for him whenever he scratches the furniture. These types of things shouldn’t be brushed aside but rather punished, when appropriate.

Try a different tactic

If you’ve tried every other training method, and your cat still isn’t behaving, it may be time to consider re-training him.

This means that you need to start over from the basics, building from scratch, rather than using logic and examples.

Start by using treats and toys to reinforce the rules that your cat knows, and follow the routine you’ve just taught him. If you made mistakes in the past, it might help to write them down.

Go for a walk together

Enjoying walks together is a great way to make your cat feel safe while strengthening your bond with each other. This is also a great opportunity to teach your cat to walk on a leash, which can be useful in emergencies, or when you’re taking your cat to the vet.

You can also use walks as an opportunity to teach your cat new tricks and commands while reinforcing the ones he knows.

Conclusion

Training your cat is a great idea, especially if he’s an indoor-only cat and you’d like him to start spending time with other cats.

You can use treats and toys, as well as positive punishment, to help your cat understand and follow the rules of your house while reinforcing his good behavior.

Training your cat can be challenging, but it can be rewarding, as well. You just need to go about it the right way.